From magnificent sea fort to an award-winning sculpture park, iconic hill top castle to a magical island that both feature in Enid Blyton's Famous Five adventures, here are some great days out around this beautiful county
Corfe Castle: One of Britain's most iconic survivors of the English Civil War, during its thousand-year history Corfe Castle has been both royal palace and fortress until it was partially demolished in 1646 and there are tales of treachery and treason around every corner. Events coming up this summer include a Festival of Archaeology, and outdoor performances of Cinderella, Peter Pan and Twelfth Night. It is also believed to be inspiration for Kirrin Castle on Kirrin Island in Enid Blyton's Five on a Treasure Island. nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle
Kingston Lacy: When the Bankes family seat Corfe Castle was destroyed, they built an opulent family home that resembles a Venetian Palace on their estate near Wimborne. With paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian and Brueghel, Kingston Lacy is a miniature ‘national gallery’ for the South West. This summer their glorious gardens will host outdoor theatre performances including Pride and Prejudice and As You Like It. nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy
Kingston Maurward Animal Park & Gardens: This agricultural college near Dorchester has its own animal park where you can meet and furry and feathered residents ranging from pigs and sheep to ferrets and an eagle owl. The 35-acre formal gardens set within the existing framework of an 18th-century Capability Brown style parkland setting is home to two National Plant Collections - Penstemons and Salvias. Entry this year is free. kmc.ac.uk/gardens
Careys Secret Garden: Behind a 150-year-old wall sits 3½ acres in the midst of transformation. With a focus on permaculture and rewilding, Careys Secret Garden is a fascinating lockdown project that recently won gold in the Dorset Tourism Awards. Left untouched for more than 40 years, this walled garden near Wareham is flourishing again pre-booked visits Thursday - Saturday can be made at careyssecretgarden.co.uk
Athelhampton House: The gardens of this 15th century country house near Dorchester date from 1891 and include the Great Court with 12 giant yew topiary pyramids overlooked by two terraced pavilions. This glorious Grade I architectural garden is full of vistas and surprises with spectacular fountains and the River Piddle flowing through it. Wheelchair map to guide you around the gardens. Onsite café. athelhampton.co.uk
The Walled Garden: This beautiful five-acre landscaped garden in Moreton is a great day out for families. Adults can enjoy the gardens, browse the plant shop and admire sculpture from various local artists. For younger visitors there’s a play park and a meet the animals area, take a picnic or visit the on-site café. Entry is free. walledgardenmoreton.co.uk
Brownsea Island: This magical island in Poole Harbour, the inspiration for Whispering Island in Enid Blyton's Famous Five adventures, is reached by a ferry from Poole Quay. It’s a haven for wildlife including a colony of red squirrels and a lagoon that is home to a huge variety of birds including spoonbills. Take a picnic and explore the trails that criss-cross the island. Don’t miss Brownsea Open Air Theatre’s Twelfth Night (July 27 – August 12). nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island
Dorset Museum: If you haven’t been to your county’s museum recently then make this the year. It’s multi-million-pound makeover has elevated this venue to world class, and has given it the opportunity to show off a truly dazzling collection of artefacts covering 250 million years of Dorset’s history from fossils to sculptures by Elisabeth Frink. It even has a whole gallery dedicated to Thomas Hardy. dorsetmuseum.org
The Tank Museum: This multi-award-winning museum at Bovington is Dorset’s largest indoor attraction. It brings military history to life with the world’s best collection of tanks and live displays. The new Second World War exhibition tells the story of the British tank crewman through interviews, artefacts, and tanks. Their legendary TankFest (June24 –26) is the world's biggest and best live display of tanks. tankmuseum.org
Museum of East Dorset: This historic townhouse in Wimborne Minster is where you can discover the story of East Dorset from Roman wall paintings and archaeological finds to a Victorian Valentine card collection. A £1.8 million National Lottery project has transformed the exhibition spaces making this rather special. Enjoy tea in the tranquil walled garden, then pop over the road to visit the Minster church. museumofeastdorset.co.uk
Sculpture by the Lakes: Art and nature combine at this multi-award-winning venue near Dorchester which was the backdrop for the TV show Your Garden Made Perfect. Sculptures by Simon Gudgeon are framed by exquisite planting by his wife Monique, in a landscape dotted with lakes and islands. Events happening here include the Dorset Garden Festival, Fire & Food Festival, Dorset Arts Festival, and Wellbeing by the Lakes. No under 14s. sculpturebythelakes.co.uk
The Blue Pool Nature Reserve & Tearooms: Enjoy walks around this magical pool near Wareham famous for its ever-changing colours. Very fine clay in suspension in the water diffracts light in different ways - sometimes green, sometimes turquoise. Sandy paths lead up steps to views of the Purbeck Hills, keep an eye out for fairy doors! Enjoy lunch or a cream tea in the art deco tearooms. bluepooltearooms.co.uk
Wimborne Model Town & Gardens: Step into the high street of 1950s Wimborne in this 1/10th scale model of the town as it was 70 years ago and browse over 100 little shops. The Wareham Bears are now living here and there’s also exhibitions of model trains and dolls houses. Set in delightful gardens, this vintage miniature world is a multi-generational day out winner. Open April to October. wimborne-modeltown.com
Nothe Fort: This multi-award-winning Victorian sea fort if one of Weymouth's premier visitor attractions and it’s easy to see why. Enjoy stunning views of the Jurassic Coast from the picnic areas on the ramparts then go underground and explore the fort’s tunnels and secret passageways, including the spooky ghost tunnel. The whole fort is dog friendly too. Don’t miss their living history Victorian Weekend in July. nothefort.org.uk
Shire Hall Historic Court House Museum: Executed for arson. Transported for asking for fair pay. Given six months hard labour for stealing clothes. 200 years of justice, injustice, crime and punishment are brought to life at this immersive museum in Dorchester. Stand in the dock, visit the cells and uncover the stories of people like the Tolpuddle Martyrs who passed through the building. shirehalldorset.org
Moors Valley Country Park & Forest: Winner of Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Dorset Tourism Awards this East Dorset venue is brilliant for kids with its ‘Play Trail’ where they can crawl through the belly of a snake and tackle the Crocodile Crossing. Thrill seekers can swing through the trees on the Go Ape Tree Top Challenge. Or stay on the ground and walk or cycle around the 1000 acres. moors-valley.co.uk
Bournemouth Natural Science Society: This is Dorset’s answer to London’s Natural History Museum and is well worth visiting. Since 1921 the Bournemouth Natural Science Society, based in a handsome building on Christchurch Road, have been welcoming the curious and the enquiring to visit their collections which range from Egyptian mummies to insect collections. If natural science is your thing do check out their events and field trips. Open most Tuesdays. bnss.org.uk
Sherborne Castle & Gardens: Built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, the Digby family have lived here since 1617. Walk through 400 years of history and discover the great stories of Sherborne Castle admiring nationally important collections of art, porcelain and furniture along the way. Then enjoy a leisurely stroll around the magnificent landscaped gardens created by Capability Brown. Open April to October. sherbornecastle.com
Russell-Cotes Cotes Museum & Art Gallery IMAGE
This clifftop mansion was the home of well-travelled Victorian collectors, Sir Merton and Lady Annie Russell-Cotes. They filled the house with beautiful objects from around the world, as well as a remarkable collection of British art including some stunning Pre-Raphaelite paintings and 20th century art. The gardens and café have fabulous sea views. Check out the Museum Late themed events ranging from the Roaring Twenties to Japanese Art. russellcotes.com
Minterne Gardens: A Himalayan Garden in a wooded Dorset valley, Minterne’s collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, Japanese cherries and magnolias were bought back by plant hunters in the 19th century and in April, May and June these gardens are at their best. Small lakes, streams and cascades offer a new vista at each turn, and in autumn 200 acers provide sensational colours. minterne.co.uk
Find out more...The Visit Dorset website offers a whole raft of ideas for days out across Dorset, whatever your interest.
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